Hookah bar raided in Panchkula, owners held

A raid by the detective staff of the police at Veda Restaurant and Bar in Sector 5, Panchkula, uncovered an illegal hookah bar, leading to the arrest of the club owner and partner.

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According to the police spokesperson, flavoured hookah was being served to young men and women at the bar. The police received a tip-off about the illegal hookah bar, prompting Sub-Inspector Jilhe Singh and his team to conduct the raid. The owners, Shivam and Rishabh Manchanda, both residents of Sector 7, Panchkula, were arrested on the spot.

During the interrogation, the names of one more partner, Vaibhav Sharma, and club manager Nikku Pandey, came to light. The police recovered seven hookahs, seven chillums, and seven flavored tobacco during the search. The accused were unable to produce any licence or permit.

A case has been registered against the accused under Section 223 (B), 271, and 272 of the Indian Penal Code at the Sector 5 police station. The raid is part of a special campaign launched by Police Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Arya to prevent drug abuse in the district, with instructions for strict action in drug-related cases.